Slider for a pouch and the like



March 3, 1964 E. M. AUSNIT 3,122,807

SLIDER FOR A POUCH AND THE LIKE Filed July 22, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lT-IJ Lm al gql a 10/ J M i I INVENTOR. g r M 411172;!-

March 3, 1964 E. M. AUSNIT SLIDER FOR A POUCH AND THE LIKE;-

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mg/fulfil ,7 7/ 5 Filed July 22. 1960 INVENTOR. [d ar' Man's): it

United States Patent SLEDER FUR A. PGUCH AND THE LIKE Elgar Pd- Ausnit, 525 Park Ave, New Yorlr 21, N.Y. Filed July 22, 196i Ser. No. 44, 668 10 Claims. (Cl. 242ti1) The present invention relates to a flexible slide fastener such as used to close an opening at the edge of a pouch or envelope.

More particularly the invention contemplates providing a pair of flexible closure strips formed of plastic or like suitable material each having a web portion and a marginal portion with the marginal portions having confronting locking surfaces provided with interlocking channel ridge elements which extend therealong. The marginal portion for the first strip is thickened and extends substantially parallel to the web portion and the marginal portion for the second strip is turned or folded inwardly inside the web portion so as to preferably lie inside the marginal portion of the first strip with the ridge and channel elements facing each other for being pressed into interlocking relationship. A slider straddles the edge of the strips and has opposed tapering sides for engaging and forcing the strips together when moved in a closing direction and has a separating finger for separating and releasing the strips when moved in an opening direction.

An object of the invention is to provide a flexible fastener or closure of the type embodying interlocking closure strips :ith a slider for opening or closing the strips, of an improved nature capable of reliable operation and having a structure which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fiexible closure or fastener and slider for same, particularly suited to be attached at the top edge of a pouch opening or to join the edges of two facing sheets.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved inexpensive slider which can be stamped rather than cast for closing or opening flexible closure strips having interlocking ridge and channel elements.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment in the specification, claims and drawings, in which:

-URE l is a plan view of an envelope provided with a closure constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FiGURE 2 is a sectional view shown in perspective form taken substantially along line llll of FIGURE 1;

FTGURE 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along line llllll of FZGURE 1;

PZGURE 4 is an end elevation view of the slider shown from me left end as viewed in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational View of the slider shown from the end opposite FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the slider;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view shown in section similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of the slider shown from the left end as viewed in FlGURE 7;

FlGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IXIX of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a bottom plan view of the slider of FIG- URES 7 through 9.

As shown on the drawings:

In FEGURE l the reference numeral 19 indicates a pouch or envelope having a fastener or a closure 11 across the top edges for closing and opening the envelope It).

The fastener 11 of FIGURES 1 through 6, as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, includes first and second flexible Patented air. 3, 1954 closure strips 12 and 13. Slidably mounted on the closure strips is a slider 14- which is moved in an opening direction (to the right in FIGURE 2) to separate the closure strips 12 and 13, or in a closing direction (to the left in FIG- URE 2) to join the closure strips 12 and 13.

The closure strip 12 includes a web portion 15 and a marginal portion 15 with the marginal portion extending substantially parallel and providing an extension of the web portion.

The closure strip 13 has a web portion 17 and a marginal portion 18. For this second closure strip, the marginal portion is turned inwardly or doubled back so as to lie alongside the web portion 17. An inner fold or crease 21 is formed at the juncture of the marginal portion 13 and web portion 17 and this crease 21 may be formed with grooved sides so as to prevent the formation of a sharp juncture of material which would weaken the strip 13 and the material joining the web portion 17 and the marginal portion 1?, at said juncture forms a hinge portion.

The closure strips 1 and i3 are suitably attached at the upper edges of the side walls 319 and 2.9 of the envelope i The walls are made of a suitable material such as plastic and the web portions 15 and 17 of the closure strips are suitably attached thereto such as by a heat sealed bond or by being sewed to the edges of the walls 19 and 29 of the envelope. The envelope walls are joined to each other at the edges, as illustrated at lbs, filth and lilc in FIGURE 1, to provide a flat closed envelope. It will of course be understood that envelopes or pouches of other designs may be employed or that the closure strips may be used in other environments which suitably employ the features of the invention.

The marginal portions in and 13 of the closure strips are provided with confronting interlocking means for joining the strips. The interlocking means are shown preferably in the form of mating ridge and groove or channel elements. T he closure strip 12 is shown as provided with ridges 22 hav ng enlarged heads so as to define channels 23 therebetween. The channels lockingiy receive ridges 24 on the closure strip 13. The ridges 24 have enlmged heads so as to define channels 25 therebetween which lockingly receive the ridges 22 of the first closure strip 12. In the arrangement illustrated, each of the ridges has an overhanging portion at one side so as to form a locking surface which engages with a locking surface of the overhanging portion on the ridge of the Oh er closure strip.

in the preferred arrangement, each of the closure strips is provided with two channels and two ridges although different numbers may be employed and the ridges and chann ls preferably extend substantially parallel to the closure strip. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other interlocking arrangements may be utilized in some circumstances and in the preferred general arrangement the interlocking means on the confronting faces of the closure strips automatically interlock in response to the application of a lateral pressure forcing them together and separate by a separating force applied between the confronthig surfaces so as to draw them apart.

The strips are conveniently manufactured of plastic which is suitable for extruding and is flexible. Suitable materials for manufacturing the closure strips 12 and 13 include the thermoplastic and thermosetting organic synthetic resins. Of particular importance for this use are the vinyl type resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymers, and similar vinyl resins, and polyethylene. Rubber, either natural or synthetic is not a preferred material since, in the case of rubber, it is more dirrlcult to control the degree of rigidity for interlocking engagement between the strips. However, by proper compounding and vulcanizing th rubber, the degree of rigidity can be controlled to make rubber acceptable for the purposes of the instant invention. The material of the envelope may be formed of the same or of different plastic.

The slider 14 may also be formed of a plastic of a sufficiently nonresilient nature so that the sides will not be spread by the resistance of the closure strips. A slider of stamped metal is preferred although a non-resil'ent plastic may be suitable in some circumstances.

The slider 1 slides along the closure strips and is retained in place by en agement with shoulders on the strips. The first closure strip 1.2 has its marginal portion thicker than the web portion and laterally oilset so as to provide a retaining shoulder 26. The marginal portion 13 of the closure strip 13 is similarly thicker than the web portion for convenience of accommodating the ridges and channels. On the outer surface of the closure strip 13 is a bead 27 which has a downwardly facing shoulder 28, and shoulders 26 and 2:23 hold or retain the slider 0n the closure strips as will be described. Bead 27 may or may not be used.

The slider 14, as illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 6, has a pair of opposed sides 2? and 39 having inner facin closing surfaces 31 and 32 for engaging the outer surfaces of the closure strips and forcing them together to interlock the ridges and channels. The closing surfaces 31 and 32 taper 1 warclly from the feed end 33 of the slider to the closmg end 34 to be sufiiciently close together to press the closure strips 12 and 33 together in the manner shown in FTGURE 3. The surfaces are preferably substantially flat vertical planar surfaces but in an alternative form may be slightly curved. As will be apparent from the illustrations, the outer surfaces of the sides form convenient broad gripping surfaces for gripping between the thumb and forefinger for moving the slider.

Across the top of the slider is a back 35 which is integral with the sides 29 and 3t and holds them in a fixed lateral position.

At the feed end 33 of the back 35 is a separator finger 33. The separator has an upper projecting portion 33a and a downwardly extending linger portion 385 with the finger portion functioning to force the closure strips apart men the slider is moved in an opening direction (to the right as shown in 2). The projecting portion 38:: may be omitted and the finger portion attached directly to the back 35.

The slider is provided with retaining means to hold it on the strips. At the lower edges of each of the sides 29 and 39 are inwardly turned retaining flanges 35 and 37 which extend beneath the shoulders 26 and 28 and hold the slider on the closure strips.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 7 through 10, flexible closure strips as and 41 are provided of construction somewhat similar to the strips of FIGURES 1 through 6. The closure strip 459 has a web portion 42 and a marginal portion 43. The marginal portion 43 is thicker than the web portion 42 and projects inwardly toward the strip 41 so as to provide a downwardly facing shoulder 44. The closure strip 41 has a web portion 45 and a marginal portion $6. The marginal portion as is turned inwardly and downwardly or doubled back so as to lie along on the inside of the web portion 45. The marginal portion 46 thus also forms a downwardly facing shoulder. The marginal portion is thus joined to the web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion. The marginal portions 43 and 45 are provided with confronting interlocking means for joining the strips and the marginal portion 43 is shown as pro ded with ridges 4'7 and the marginal portion 46 is provided with ridges 4 3. The ridges define grooves or channels therebetween and the channels lockingly receive the ridges.

Straddling the upper edges of the strips is a slider 49. The slider is of a construction that can be simply and inexpensively stamped rather than cast and :ncludes sides 50 and 51 with inner surfaces 52 and 55 tha' taper inwardly from a feed end 54 of the slider to a closing end 55. The sides are integral with a back 56 and are shown as simply bent downwardly from the back at right angles thereto. The sides have straight flat inner surfaces 52 and 53 and there are no inturned flanges at their lower edges such as are provided with the slider of FIGURES 1 through 6.

Secured to the back and projecting integrally down wardly therefrom is a separator finger 57. At approximately right angles to the lower end or base of the finger 57 is an integral tab 58 in the form of a small fiat plate which projects toward the closing end of the slider. The tab projects beneath the marginal portions 43 and 46 on the closure strips. The tab has inclined sides 59 which taper to a narrow width toward the closing end 55 of the slider and are substantially parallel to the inner surfaces 52 and 53 of the slider. The tab slides beneath the shoulder 4-1 and ridge a9 and retains the slider in its position on the edges of the closure strips. The tab 58 may also aid the finger 57 in separating the closure strips when moved in an unlocking direction (to the right as shown in FTGURE 7).

The slider is preferably formed of stamped metal although a non-resilient or hardened plastic may be suitable in some circumstances.

in operation of the arrangement of FIGURES 1 through 6, the user, for closing the envelope, moves the slider 14 to the left (as shown in FIGURE 2) along the envelope ill and the tapering opposed sides 2d and Si) move the closure strips together to force the ridges 22 and 24- into the grooves 25 and 23 from the positions shown at the separated end of the strips in FTGURE 2 to the locking position of FIGURE 3. For opening the closure strips 12 and 13 for accessto the envelope, the slider 14 is moved to the right, as shown in FIGURE 2, and the separator finger 3S separates the strips. As will be appreciated, the spaces between the closure strips 32 and 13, between the marginal portion 18 and web portion 17, and between the closure strip 13 and the side of the slider 24 are exaggerated in FIGURE 3 and the gap between the closure strips will be substantially non-existent when the strips are being pressed together. The slider in FIGURES 7' to lOworks on the same principle.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved slider and closure mechanism for a container or similar object having separated edges, whicl1 meets the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set forth. The slider is of simplified construction and can easily be manufactured and assembled on the closure strips. The closure strips are preferably extruded in length and cut to size before attaching to the envelope and the slider is then placed on the strips. The slider is well adapted for easy gripping and handling by the user and provides a small compact and lightweight unit for carrying on the pouch or envelope with which the closure strips are used. The elements are easily and inexpensively made and are well adapted to mass production methods and manufacture with relatively inexpensive materials.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure or" the preferred embodiment of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A flexible closure comprising a pair of flexible closure strips, each having a web portion and a marginal portion integral therewith, said marginal portions having interlocking channel and ridge elements extending along the marginal portions, the marginal portion for the first strip extending substantially parallel to its web portion and being thicker than its web portion and projecting outwardly to form a retaining shoulder where it joins the web portion, the marginal portion for the second strip turned inwardly alongside its web portion with the channel and ridge elements in confronting relationship, and

a slider straddling the strips having opposed tapered sides for engaging the strips and forcing them together to join the channel and ridge elements when moved in a closing direction and having a separator for separating said elements when moved in an opening direction, said slider having a retaining flange positioned beneath said shoulder of the first strip for holding the slider on the strips.

2. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions havin interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

at least one of said marginal portions having a downwardly facing shoulder,

and a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

3. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

at least one of said marginal portions having a downwardly facing shoulder,

a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with sai sides,

a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips,

and an integral tab on the lower end of the finger bent to extend toward the closing end of the slider having an upper surface engaging beneath said shoulder for holding the tab on the strips.

4. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves there- 6 between for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

at least one of said marginal portions having a downwardly facing shoulder.

a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surf ces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

said web portions extending downwardly parallel to each other and said sides of the slider being substantially parallel to said web portions,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips,

and an integral tab on the lower end of the finger bent to extend toward the closing end of the slider having an upper surface engaging beneath said shoulder for holding the tab on the strips and being sufficiently narrow so that the strips are not separated by the tab and the sole separation force is applied by said finger side surfaces,

said tab being of a length less than the length of said slider and extending short of said closing end of the slider. 5. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means includinx projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

and

the marginal portion or" said first strip being offset from its web portion and forming a downwardly facing shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

6. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said filst strip being offset from its web portion inwardly toward the marginal portion of said second strip and forming a downwardly facing shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion adjacent the first strip and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion integral with t e marginal and web portion of the second strip,

a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing vertical planar gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with said back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips,

and an integral tab on the lower end of the finger bent to extend toward the closing end of the slider and engaging beneath said shoulder for holding the slider on the strips and being sufficiently narrow so that the strips are not separated by the tab and the sole separation force is applied by said finger side surfaces.

7. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said first strip being offset from its web portion and forming a downwardly facing shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

and a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and be ng integral with said sides,

means on said slider positioned beneath said downwardly facing shoulder holding the slider on the strips,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

8. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves t erebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said first strip being offset from its web portion outwardly away from said second strip and forming a downwardly facing shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected O Q to its web portion by a laterally extending hirige portion, and a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

means on said slider extending beneath said shoulder and holding the slider on the strips,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having a strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

9. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

irst and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said first strip being offset from its web portion outwardly away from said second strip and forming a downwardly facing shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

and a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

an underhanging retaining flange on the lower edge of said side engaging said first strip positioned beneath said shoulder and holding the slider on the strips,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral with the back and bent downwardly therefrom having'strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

10. A flexible closure assembly comprising in combination,

first and second opposed closure strips each having a web portion and a marginal portion,

the marginal portions having interlocking means including projecting longitudinally extending continuous flexible ribs defining grooves therebetween for releasably interlockingly receiving said ribs,

the marginal portion of said first strip being ofiset from its web portion outwardly away from said second strip and forming a downwardly facing first shoulder,

the marginal portion of said second strip positioned alongside its web portion and connected to its web portion by a laterally extending hinge portion,

a bead extending along the outer surface of said second strip forming a downwardly facing second shoulder,

and a slider straddling said strips having,

a pair of opposed sides with outwardly facing gripping surfaces and inwardly facing closing surfaces tapering toward each other from a feed end to a closing end,

a back extending across the upper ends of the sides and being integral with said sides,

underhanging inwardly turned retaining flanges on the lower edges of each of said sides for engaging beneath said shoulders for holding the slider on the closure strips,

and a downwardly bent finger at the feed end of the slider integral With the back and bent downwardly therefrom having strip separating side surfaces simultaneously engaging the crests of each of the ribs on both strips for separating the strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Statham Apr. 17, McCoy Apr. 2, Mulka July 19, Wahl Dec. 1, Svec Feb. 5, Ausnit Sept. 18,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 23, Austria Aug. 15, Belgium Feb. 28, France Dec. 16, 

1. A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF FLEXIBLE CLOSURE STRIPS, EACH HAVING A WEB PORTION AND A MARGINAL PORTION INTEGRAL THEREWITH, SAID MARGINAL PORTIONS HAVING INTERLOCKING CHANNEL AND RIDGE ELEMENTS EXTENDING ALONG THE MARGINAL PORTIONS, THE MARGINAL PORTION FOR THE FIRST STRIP EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO ITS WEB PORTION AND BEING THICKER THAN ITS WEB PORTION AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY TO FORM A RETAINING SHOULDER WHERE IT JOINS THE WEB PORTION, THE MARGINAL PORTION FOR THE SECOND STRIP TURNED INWARDLY ALONGSIDE ITS WEB PORTION WITH THE CHANNEL AND RIDGE ELEMENTS IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP, AND A SLIDER STRADDLING THE STRIPS HAVING OPPOSED TAPERED SIDES FOR ENGAGING THE STRIPS AND FORCING THEM TOGETHER TO JOIN THE CHANNEL AND RIDGE ELEMENTS WHEN MOVED IN A CLOSING DIRECTION AND HAVING A SEPARATOR FOR SEPARATING SAID ELEMENTS WHEN MOVED IN AN OPENING DIRECTION, SAID SLIDER HAVING A RETAINING FLANGE POSITIONED BENEATH SAID SHOULDER OF THE FIRST STRIP FOR HOLDING THE SLIDER ON THE STRIPS. 